I think originally it was so people could have a chocolate cake when wedding cake was traditionally white. We are doing our groom’s cake as a cheesecake because that is the only type of “cake” he likes, and he felt really involved when I told him he could do whatever he wanted with it. He actually worked really hard on figuring out how he wanted it decorated.

It can be used as an “extra” wedding cake for today, to get a different flavor option (although a lot of wedding cakes can be done in different flavors for each tier nowadays). Originally it was used for single women. If they took home a piece of the groom’s cake and put it under their pillow, they would dream of the man they would marry one day. All superstition of course, but if you’re into following it (for one reason or another) then it’s a nice thing for the single ladies at your party. =)